Public forum on D97 referendum

Oak Park taxpayers looking to weigh in on District 97's planned spring 2011 referendum will have a chance at a public forum on Nov. 18.

That's the only confirmed date for the forum, to take place at one of the elementary or middle schools; a specific building still to be determined. The District 97 Board of Education will also have two public study sessions to talk about its operating referendum--Tuesday Nov. 2 and Saturday Nov.13. The board settled on those dates during a referendum planning discussion at their regular board meeting on Tuesday. Members also discussed having a second forum either this fall or early next year.

Members were aware of the fact that Nov. 2 is election night but that was a date all could attend the first session. And even if another public forum can't be scheduled in the fall, voters will have a chance to speak during a public commentary portion at either of the study sessions, likely to occur at the end of the meeting with a half-hour time limit.

Board members and administration Tuesday stressed that any public commentary will follow the same format as at regular board meetings--speakers will be timed and board members and administrators will respond to specific questions when the public commentary has concluded. Those responses are usually done at the board table or after the meeting at a later date. The public forums will be a different format allowing for a Q&A, members said.